§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider increasing the availability of courses for mothers returning to nursing; if he will further consider what measures he can take to encourage mothers to return to nursing before their children are of school age; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonIt is for health authorities to match the provision of courses for mothers returning to nursing with the need. Every encouragement is given to authorities to attract qualified nurses to return, but whether mothers with children under school age should be sought particularly is a matter for each authority to decide.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that sufficient consideration is given to advances in technology and patient care in back-to-nursing courses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonIt is for health authorities to ensure that the content of such courses is appropriate to the needs of the participants, and we would expect them to recognise the importance of advances in technology and patient care.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration has been given to operating a 80W flexible working hours system in the Health Service, enabling nurses with children to work during school hours; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonHealth authorities already offer opportunities to nursing staff who are unable to work full time. Some 34 per cent, of such staff are employed on a part-time basis. We agree that there my be scope for employing more part-time staff and last June the Acting Chairman of the National Health Service Management Board wrote to Regional General Managers asking them to consider giving more opportunities to part-time working and job sharing. There are however limitations on the extent to which professional jobs can be broken into part-time components and the numbers of staff who can be employed only during school holidays.